Life after sudden death for Leafs
Giving top-seeded Capitals ‘everything they could handle’ fuels optimism for next time
The Maple Leafs’ out-of-nowhere dream playoff run ended in six games — with a 2-1 loss to the Capitals in sudden-death overtime on Sunday night.
But in the moments after the game, as the players processed all that had transpired, it was clear that they will take with them into the off-season a sense that the best is yet to come.
“(Losing) is not the best feeling,” said Leafs rookie Auston Matthews, who scored the team’s lone goal. “But if you look around in the room, I think we gave our all. I think we left it all on the ice. And I think we have a bright future.”
Marcus Johansson scored to force overtime, and then to dispatch the plucky, young Leafs in a series where the sides were separated by very little.
That’s a positive for Toronto, given Washington finished first overall with 118 points while the Leafs were the lowest seed in the Eastern Conference with 95. Five games in the series went to overtime, and all six were decided by one goal.
For a team with seven rookies — only Kasperi Kapanen will be rookie eligible again next year — the experience should do them wonders.
“The experience itself, it’s a hard, grinding hockey against the best team in the league,” said Matthews. “I think we gave them all they could handle. We can hold our heads up high. It’s not the best feeling, but we can be proud.”
Matthews had given the Leafs a 1-0 lead at 7:45 of the third period, and suddenly it looked like coach Mike Babcock might make good on the promise he made to the folks at the Verizon Center: that the Leafs would return for Game 7.
Then just over five minutes later, Johansson tied it.
The Capitals came into the series known as playoff chokers. This time, Washington coach Barry Trotz said the Caps wanted to shove the Maple Leafs off a cliff when they had the chance. They did, and with the win they are 6-15 since 2008 in games in which they had the chance to eliminate an opponent.
“They pushed us and they hard- ened us in this series,” said Trotz. “That bodes well for the Maple Leafs. We knew it was going to be a tough series. We knew how hard they play during the year, and we saw their growth. They had a fantastic season and have a lot to look forward to.”
It was the 18th overtime of the opening round, an NHL record. The league had 17 four years ago. The last time Toronto played five overtimes in a series was 1951, when Bill Barilko’s OT winner won the Leafs the Stanley Cup.
The Leafs finished their 100th season the way they finished their last 49: without a Cup. But there’s reason to believe the recipe for a contender is in place.
“From where we were at the beginning of the season to where we are now, I think we made a pretty big statement with our play as the season went on, and particularly in this series,” said Leaf winger James van Riemsdyk. “We got better and better.
“It’s disappointing when you lose out, but we gave them everything they could handle. Six one-goal games, five of them in overtime, they could have gone either way. I’m proud of the guys, the way we came together this year and got better and better as the season went on.
“We can be a force to be reckoned with.”
It was an amped-up Air Canada Centre crowd — bolstered by a fe- verish throng in Maple Leaf Square, and even an appearance by Justin Bieber. They chanted “Fred-die!” with every big save by Frederik Andersen. They taunted Capitals goalie Braden Holtby. They chanted “Go Leafs Go.” They did their part.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Leafs rookie forward Mitch Marner said of the experience. “It’s been real exciting. Obviously, we don’t get to see Maple Leaf Square, but we see the reactions of it after. It’s been exciting. You can hear the roar in the city.
“It’s a lot of fun. Even when the Raptors play, it’s the same thing. The city has been unbelievable, and I’m sure it’s going to continue to be like that.”